In new labor agreements reached since Sept. 17, Ford promised to add 600 jobs, and General Motors promised to create or retain 1,750 jobs. Chrysler didn't promise any new jobs.

But most of the new jobs promised by Ford and GM will be absorbed by existing workers on layoff.

...Under the deals, each worker will receive a $3,000 ratification bonus, cost-of-living lump sums in 2013, 2014 and 2015 and another cost-of-living adjustment to the base wage in 2016.

While the CAW leadership agreed to base wage freezes for the life of the four-year agreements, the annual payments were notable because the Detroit Three wanted to eliminate all cost-of-living increases.

The CAW also avoided a permanent second-tier wage for new hires. Instead, all three companies agreed to start new hires at a lower wage of $20.40 per hour, but those workers can grow into the CAW's top pay rate of $34 in 10 years.

That lower starting wage will allow the Detroit Three to reduce labor costs, but only as older workers retire.